33—The Witch

The sound of incessant dripping echoed through the damp cave. The cold was so intense that the stalactites were covered in thin layers of ice, growing thicker over time. In the center of the cavern, a pale, scaly tail rested on the frozen ground. Unfrozen droplets slid across its surface, reflecting the faint bluish light that filtered through the cracks in the cave. Transparent fins lay fragilely on the floor, as if they could shatter at the slightest sudden movement.

Then, a sound broke the silence: something large emerging from the water. The noise reverberated through the space, stirring the owner of the tail. She pushed aside her long, straight black hair, which cascaded over her face like a waterfall, and slowly lifted herself. Her gaze revealed irritation.

— What do you want, orcas? — Her voice sounded like a melancholic and treacherous song. — Didn’t I tell you not to disturb me so soon?

The mermaid glided smoothly across the damp ground, her movements serpentine, like a creature woven from shadows and ice. She stopped only before a large opening in the cave floor, where seawater had gathered into a small underground pool.

There, a triton with a dark, robust tail stared at her. His body was covered in scars, and one of his eyes was blind, concealed beneath a tattered cloth. He gripped a bone trident tightly, as if holding back his own revulsion was already a great effort.

— We captured everyone you asked for. Now keep your end of the deal and release our kin, witch. — His voice was firm but carried tension.

The mermaid smiled, revealing rows of thin, needle-like teeth. Her completely black eyes arched in satisfaction as a melodic laugh escaped her lips.

— The foolish orcas brought them so quickly… that I almost feel our deal should be extended.

The triton clenched his teeth, his body taut as if fighting the instinct to strike.

— Honor the deal! Or I’ll kill you right here, you abomination!

The mermaid’s smile faded for a brief moment. Her flawless face remained unchanged, like a mask. When she spoke again, her voice echoed supernaturally through the cave, though her lips did not move.

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— You’re adorable when you try to threaten me. My offer for you to be my mate still stands.

— Stop stalling and give me the antidote! — the triton growled, gripping his trident even tighter.

The mermaid tilted her head almost lyrically before finally tossing a small flower bud toward him. The triton caught it midair, clutching it as if it were a treasure.

— This will be enough to save your remaining few hatchlings. But not a drop more. If you make a single mistake… oh, why bother warning you? You must have already seen the weaker ones perish with your own eyes.

The triton didn’t wait for her to finish. In a swift motion, he dove back into the sea, disappearing quickly.

The mermaid watched the water for a long moment, her expression hardening. She knew she had no choice but to release the last of the captives. If she kept them any longer, there simply wouldn’t be a new generation left for her to enslave in the future.

Sighing, she grabbed a large bundle of tied seaweed and opened it. Small mermaid eggs greeted her, glowing like precious stones, brimming with vitality. Her mouth watered, but she couldn’t devour them. Not yet.

Sliding to the back of the cave, she positioned herself before a wall adorned with carvings of marine beings. The golden glow in the eyes of the figures seemed to pulse with sadness as they gazed at the golden bowl at the base of the wall, yet radiated pure hatred when they turned toward the witch.

— You always look at me like that… as if I were some wicked girl.

She sneered before sprinkling a dark powder over the eggs. The golden light in the statues’ eyes abandoned their figures, flowing into the bowl and causing its contents to shine intensely. In an instant, the eggs melted into a thick, golden liquid, exuding the scent of rust and the deep sea.

Without hesitation, the mermaid lunged forward and drank greedily. Her body trembled with pleasure, and her eyes gleamed with unsettling hunger.

As she finished, she felt the changes in her body. Her beautiful black hair lost all its color, turning silver like the moon. Some of her transparent fins simply detached, vanishing into the cave’s moisture. Only a large fin remained at the tip of her tail, a fragile and delicate fan.

She ran her hand along the carved wall, stopping at the center, where a human figure appeared to be sleeping among the beasts. Despite the golden light surrounding it, that single element remained inert, unmoving, indifferent to everything.

— Mother… what would you say if you saw your daughter walk like our star-born ancestors?

She leaned forward, resting her head against the carved figure, lowering her gaze.

— Don’t worry, Mother. I will fulfill your dream and become a star.

A single tear slipped from her eyes. As it touched her skin, it burned like acid, marking her. When it finally fell, it transformed into a black pearl, gleaming like the ocean’s abyss.